Review- Dead, Undead, or Somewhere In Between

Like I've mentioned before, I read on my ipad a lot; instant gratification ya know.  Anyway, I pulled up Dead Undead, looking for some of the quotes I highlighted, and my list was looong.  I highlighted descriptive text, I noted pithy dialog and rules to live by.  I'm pretty sure I've never highlighted so much in one book.  

Saare's writing style was the first of many surprises in Dead, Undead, or Somewhere In Between, and it took hold of me right away. She's that little voice inside your head that says all the thoughts you think are too rude/honest to ever let out.  Her voice is razor sharp and expressive is really too weak a word.  

"Stripping is not a fair or unbiased career field.  Your body and looks are your livelihood.  Once those two things go, it's only a matter of time before you punch your last T&A ticket. And Erica's stub was wilting faster than a golden wrapped candy bar that would gain her admittance into the chocolate factory."

Rhiannon might have just claimed the #1 spot of my favorite heroine.  I know it has a lot to do with the voice that Saare provides, but Rhiannon's character never stopped surprising me.  She's bold and her convictions are true. I love that she never waivers from who she is, but that she allows herself to grow into a better version of herself by the end of the story.  And her "laws" are are now posted all over my computer.

"Rhiannon's Law #16: If it looks like a rabbit, and it hops like a rabbit, run the other way and fast.  That shit is laible to tear your arm off Monty Python and the Holy Grail style."

"Rhiannon's Law #37: Don't get so high and mighty.  God will only reward that arrogance with a huge bitch slap back to reality."

"Rhiannon's Law #27: When you're working in a gentlemen's club and one of your dancers takes off those heels, alert the big guns, an ass kicking is on the menu."

Well the last one doesn't really pertain to my life per-say, but good advice non-the-less. She's a smart-aleck

"And what is it you do, ..."

Bartender? No. Pool player? No. Ghost hunter? No. Full-time smart ass? No. I was running out of ideas and she was waiting.

Yet, she never stops surprising you.  Out of the blue she'll make a statement so heartfelt, you take notice. You just know what she's feeling while you're reading it aloud.

"...but forgetting your mistakes made you prone to repeat them..." 

Rhiannon and Disco's pairing is one of my favorite.  Rhiannon is crass while Disco's voice is smooth and luxurious.  The contrast between the two gives depth to their partnership. Nothing is rushed, which can ruin a perfectly good story for me, and I enjoyed their repartee.

"That's a nasty habit, you know." I wrinkled my nose distastefully and pointed at the cigarette.

"I'll make you a deal. I'll put down the smokes if you stop speaking so crudely."

"Fuck that."

And even though the story takes place over the course of a week or so, the connection that is made is meaningful and compassionate, and you don't doubt that these characters are kindred souls always meant for each other. 

You'll notice that I've yet to touch on the story-line...I'm aware. I don't want to slip and give anything away. I will say, that the story got better and better as it went and never stopped surprising me.  And I think I might use the word "shock" to describe where it took me.


Bottom Line: There's a waiting period of 2 months, or my name would already be Rhiannon...too blunt?


4.5 stars